Thriller films originated in the 1920s with Alfred Hitchcock's films based on crime stories. Over time, thrillers developed narratives involving crime, violence, and action. Now thrillers are one of the most established film genres, with different types including psychological thrillers, conspiracy thrillers, and crime thrillers. Typical characters in thrillers include killers, victims, police, and crime solvers who help build audience anticipation. Iconography like weapons, lighting, locations, and silhouettes are used to create suspense and tension. Popular thrillers often spawn sequels and series due to audience reception.

2. Historical Development
• In the 1920’s Alfred Hitchcock made his first
thriller film as a revised narrative from Jack the
Ripper. Over time he continued to make thrillers
as well as other directors this began the new
cycle of the genre.
• The films gradually began to pick up a typical
narrative of consisting of crime, violence and
action.
• Now in 2014 Thriller films are one of the most
established genres continuing to achieve high box
office ratings when released in cinemas.

3. Different thriller types.
thrillers come in three different sections being
• Psychological thrillers; gone girl
• Conspiracy thrillers; the November man
• Crime thrillers; Law abiding citizen

4. Narratives.
• The narratives in thriller films are typically
known for revolving around crime for
example, kidnapping, ransom and robbery.
• Taken 1,2,3
• Parker
• Paranormal activity
• Rubber
• Black swan

5. Typical characters in thrillers
• The killer
• The victim/victims
• The police
• The helpers/crime solver
All these characters help make up the auidences
expectations of the thriller genre because they
all play a role which helps to make the story and
build up the anticipation.

6. Iconography
• Weapons are always used in thrillers as they connote
action and build up tension.
• Silhouettes are used as action and enigma codes to
create suspense and get the audience to wonder what
will happen next.
• Dark lighting is used to make the narrative more jumpy
and tense.
• Locations are usually used to make the mission seem
more impossible for example in Taken 1 the location is
Paris a big city so it makes the audience wonder if the
girl will be found in such a big city.

7. • Thriller films usually are quite popular and get
made into sequels or even lead up to a whole
series of films being made due to the
reception from the audience for example films
like Taken, Paranormal Activity, The Purge,
Insidious and Blade.